Homeless ministry must apply for permit to continue services in midtown Ventura

A church in midtown Ventura that offers food, showers, employment assistance, case management and other daytime services to homeless people has until Feb. 7 to apply for a new conditional-use permit if it wants to continue that work, city officials have determined.

The decision by the city throws into doubt the future of Harbor Community Church's most high-profile — and controversial — program, Operation Embrace. Applying for the permit carries no assurances the services would be allowed.

The Rev. Sam Gallucci started Operation Embrace more than four years ago as a way of reaching out to some of the community's most vulnerable. Many are bused to the church at 3100 Preble Ave., which is in the middle of a residential neighborhood, near Blanche Reynolds Elementary.

Residents have long complained about Operation Embrace, but recently those complaints have intensified, prompted by what residents say are growing problems associated with people who otherwise wouldn't be in their neighborhood.

In response, the city requested a list of services offered by the church to see if those matched the conditional-use permit.

They did not, officials said.

The last permit for the facility — which is located in a low-density residential zone — dates back to 1992 and was issued to Ventura Friends Church, for church and day care activities. Since then, Ventura Friends Church is not conducting the church activities, day care is no longer occurring and daytime social services are being offered at the site, according to a Jan. 8 letter from the city.

"These changes require that a new Use Permit be applied for and approved by the Planning Commission in order for the church to continue the services currently provided at the facility," Planning Manager Dave Ward wrote in the letter addressed to J. Randolph Catanese, Harbor's attorney.

The letter directs Harbor to stop allowing a caretaker to reside at the church because it is not allowed by municipal code. The city did not directly address Harbor's plans to start a new program geared at training and educating future urban pastors, a course that had been scheduled to begin this month.

What happens next is up to Harbor.

Gallucci and Catanese did not return calls seeking comment.

The church could disagree with the city's findings and submit a letter outlining its position. But the city is not likely to change its mind, officials said.

"I think our findings are pretty clear. They're not operating within their original CUP," said Community Development Director Jeff Lambert.

Harbor also could submit an application for a new permit, paying $7,184.16 in fees. If that happens, the Planning Commission would hear the application before making a determination. If the applicant isn't happy with the outcome, the decision could be appealed to the City Council.

Even before the case reaches commission members, Lambert said the city likely would hold public meetings first.